A standoff concerning a Wexford farm is entering a third year, and is in danger of escalating.

Last Sunday, grain crops were planted in at least some of the approximately 156 acres of land at Lodgewood, Ferns. It is understood the work was not carried out by or on behalf of prominent vegetable growers John B Dockrell Ltd. According to Land Registry documents, the company was registered as the owners of the lands on 6 July 2017.

In March 2017, local contractors attempted to enter the land on the company’s behalf, but withdrew when challenged.

Farming brothers John and Michael Kinsella purchased the property in 2008. The property has not been vacated, with a crop both planted and harvested in each of the last two years.

They say they have never consented to any sale of the lands, and have never been offered a meaningful opportunity to agree a full and final settlement of the loan they took out to fund its purchase.

Two weeks ago, John Dockrell sought and gained an injunction against John Kinsella in the High Court, requiring him not to enter the lands. The entrance from the road is barred with a jeep parked by the gate, with signs indicating the Kinsellas’ declaration of ownership of the lands.

The lands were purchased by the Kinsella brothers in 2008, with finance received from Friends First. The loan was subsequently sold to Emberton Finance, which became owner of the charge on the lands in March 2014.

Emberton Finance, a so-called vulture fund, gained a judgement against the Kinsella brothers for €4.46m in 2016.

The directors of John B Dockrell Ltd are John and Mary Dockrell. John Dockrell is listed as a Dublin representative on the IFA’s field vegetable and protected crops committee, and is a large-scale vegetable farmer in Wexford and Dublin.

When contacted by the Irish Farmers Journal on Wednesday, both the Kinsellas and John Dockrell said they were extremely busy with spring work.

John Kinsella wanted to acknowledge the support of family, neighbours and friends gained through farming and the GAA.